INSOMNIA- Breaking Sleep Habits

It’s a commonplace for people to suffer at least one occasional night of almost non-existent sleep. The causes of insomnia vary with sleep habits and differs from person to person. What makes a student insomniac varies from what caused a shift worker or a traveler or an employee to acquire such sleeping disorder.Insomnia, which is the inability to sleep satisfactorily or to have any sleep at all, is one of the most common sleep disorders. Characteristics are restlessness, sleep interruptions, decreased sleeping time than the usual, bad sleep habits and sometimes complete wakefulness.

Aside from the annoyance that insomnia can cause to its sufferers, poor sleep habits cause those afflicted to lose enthusiasm and energy, acquire memory and concentration problems, feel lethargic, frustrated and very sleepy. Worse cases that may be induced by insomnia is being prone to accidents, reduced work productivity and the aggravation of psychological and medical conditions.

So what exactly are the culprits that make insomnia one menacing sleeping problem?

Emotional Distress

More particularly when it is from internalized anxiety or anger, emotional problems can easily trigger this sleep disorder.

Substance Abuse

Drinking too much coffee, colas or other “energy-upper drinks” possibly cause insomnia. Caffeine from these drinks is the main reason. Chain smokers can also be easy victims of insomnia because of the nicotine that cigarettes contain. Herbal remedies, alcohol and other medications can also make one prone to becoming an insomniac. Some may think that alcohol, when consumed, can make one feel drowsy. Unfortunately, when alcohol metabolizes sudden wakefulness will follow.

Biological Clock Disturbance.

Also known as circadian rhythm, one’s body clock, when altered, can damage the amount of sleep one can peacefully enjoy. This body clock disturbance can be caused by an irregular slumber schedule because of too much siesta or partying too late at night. It can also be jetlag or body clock disturbance due to traveling by plane to some place where there is a different time zone. Other causes may be the grave yard schedules of workers and cramming review season for students induced by exams.

Health disorders such as diabetes, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, ulcers, and Parkinson’s disease can also induce insomnia. Asthma may also be one health problem that makes one prone to insomnia because of an asthmatic’s shortness of breath. Frequent urination, heartburn, and chronic pain from leg cramps, tooth ache and arthritis can also cause insomnia.

Psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and depression are also possible culprits for insomnia. Snoring with prolonged pauses in breathing while at sleep, also known as sleep apnea can also cause insomnia. Periodic arm and leg movements during sleep causing the muscles to twitch excessively is one underlying cause of this sleep disorder. Another cause is narcolepsy or one’s lack of control on whether to stay awake or to fall asleep, is another cause of this sleep disorder.

Pre-bedtime Activities

Engaging to vigorous activities such as exercise just right before bedtime can deprive one of a good night’s sleep. Consuming large meals when one is just about to sleep can also make one experience this sleeping disorder. This is because when metabolism is at its most active thus the body prompts one to stay awake.

Who are Prone to Insomnia?

Reports have shown that women can acquire insomnia more at some point in their lives. While an estimate of 30% suffers from its chronic form.

Women are said to be more at risk in acquiring insomnia because of the following reasons:

– Pre-menstrual syndrome with symptoms of irritability, depression and anxiety, and bloating due to menstruation disturbs a woman’s sleeping pattern.

Elderly people are also prone to getting insomnia because ageing alters one’s sleeping patterns.

Depressed people have lighter slumbers compared to those who don’t feel this psychological condition.

Students or younger ones who are conscious with their grades (because of cramming) can easily become insomniacs too.

With that vast information on what causes insomnia and who are at risk with this sleeping disorder, one can easily ward off this annoying condition,but with practice of good habits and techniques. program that has been verified and been shown to work and help with issues of sleeping. This will take you towards the next step for your sleep needs HELP YOUR INSOMNIAWe all can’t do it on our own. This is a great resource for help. THE RIGHT WAY.